Choosing Eternal Rewards Over Temporary Pleasures
Summary
Every day, we are faced with choices that shape our lives and our eternity. God, in His goodness, has set before us a clear choice: life or death, blessing or cursing. Just as Moses presented this to Israel, we too must decide which path we will take. The world and the enemy offer us immediate pleasures, comfort, and rewards that require little effort or sacrifice. These are the “easy deals”—the $100,000 that looks appealing in the moment but pales in comparison to the greater reward God promises. God’s offer, on the other hand, is eternal life, a reward so much greater than anything this world can provide, but it requires faithfulness, sacrifice, and perseverance.
The illustration of trading a car for $100,000, only to be offered $1,000,000 if we wait and endure some inconvenience, helps us see how easily we can settle for less. Satan’s deals are always about the now, the easy, the comfortable. He distracts us with materialism, pride, and fleeting pleasures, hoping we’ll trade away our future for what’s immediately in front of us. But the pleasures of sin are only for a season, and nothing the enemy offers can last beyond this life.
God calls us to a higher standard. He asks us to resist temptation, to put Him first, to serve faithfully, and to make Him the priority in our homes and hearts. This means more than just showing up to church or checking off a spiritual to-do list. It’s about daily dying to ourselves, bearing our cross, and choosing to follow Jesus even when it’s hard. The examples of Moses, Joshua, Elijah, the apostles, and so many others remind us that the greater reward is worth every sacrifice.
We must examine our lives: Are we giving God our leftovers, or is He truly first? Are we content with the bare minimum, or are we willing to go the extra mile for the sake of eternity? The world will never understand the value of what God offers, but those who choose Him will find a reward that far surpasses anything this life can give. Let us be a people who choose the better deal, who serve the Lord with all our heart, and who help one another keep our eyes on the eternal prize.
Key Takeaways
- The Value of God’s Offer vs. the World’s Temptations
The world and the enemy constantly present us with enticing, easy options that promise immediate satisfaction but ultimately lead to emptiness and death. God’s offer—eternal life and true fulfillment—requires faith, sacrifice, and perseverance, but its value is infinitely greater. We must learn to discern the difference and not settle for the lesser, temporary rewards when God has promised us so much more. [34:56]
- Faithfulness Requires Daily Choices and Sacrifice
Following Jesus is not about doing the bare minimum or simply attending church out of obligation. It’s a daily commitment to die to ourselves, bear our cross, and put God first in every area of life. True faithfulness is seen in the small, consistent choices we make to prioritize God over comfort, convenience, or worldly gain. [01:07:57]
- Idolatry is Subtle and Often Unrecognized
Idolatry isn’t just about worshiping false gods; it’s about anything we place before God—our jobs, possessions, even our own comfort. We must be vigilant and honest with ourselves about what truly holds first place in our hearts. Even good things can become idols if they take priority over our relationship with God. [01:02:56]
- Jesus Leads by Example in Resisting Temptation
Jesus faced the enemy’s temptations and rejected the easy way out, choosing instead to fulfill His purpose through obedience and sacrifice. His example shows us that resisting the devil is possible and necessary, and that the reward for faithfulness far outweighs the cost. We are called to follow His example, trusting that God will strengthen and sustain us. [44:55]
- The Eternal Perspective Transforms Our Priorities
When we truly grasp the eternal nature of God’s promises, our priorities shift. The sacrifices and inconveniences of this life become small in light of the glory to come. Like Moses, Joshua, and the apostles, we are called to choose the path that leads to everlasting life, even if it means enduring hardship now, knowing that the reward is worth every step. [41:02]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[31:00] - Introduction: Choices and Deals
[34:17] - The $100,000 vs. $1,000,000 Illustration
[34:56] - Applying the Illustration to Spiritual Life
[36:29] - The Enemy’s Easy Offers
[37:30] - Moses’ Example: Choosing Affliction Over Pleasure
[38:14] - God’s Deal: Eternal Life Requires Sacrifice
[41:02] - Why We Settle for Less
[43:30] - The Call to Discipleship and Faithfulness
[44:55] - Jesus’ Temptation and Our Example
[47:33] - Jesus as the Model for Christian Living
[56:23] - Giving God Our Best, Not Our Leftovers
[59:43] - Sabbath, Rest, and Reverence
[01:02:56] - The Subtlety of Idolatry
[01:07:57] - The Call to Go Beyond the Minimum
[01:10:06] - Biblical Examples of Right Choices
[01:14:36] - The Apostles’ Faith and Sacrifice
[01:18:45] - The Narrow Way and the Cost of Discipleship
[01:21:18] - Encouragement: Daily Choices and God’s Faithfulness
[01:22:35] - Closing and Altar Call
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Let’s Make a Deal”
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### Bible Reading
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV)
> “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Hebrews 11:24-26 (ESV)
> “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
Matthew 4:8-11 (ESV)
> “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”’ Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, what two choices does God set before His people, and what does He urge them to choose?
2. According to Hebrews 11:24-26, what did Moses give up, and what did he value more than the treasures of Egypt? [37:30]
3. In the sermon, what does the $100,000 vs. $1,000,000 car illustration represent in our spiritual lives? [34:17]
4. How did Jesus respond to Satan’s offer of all the kingdoms of the world in Matthew 4:8-11, and what does this show us about resisting temptation? [44:55]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God makes the choice between life and death, blessing and curse, so clear in Deuteronomy? What does this reveal about His character and desire for us?
2. Moses chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. What does this teach us about the value of temporary pleasure versus eternal reward? [37:30]
3. The sermon says that Satan’s deals are always about the “now,” the easy, and the comfortable. Why do you think these offers are so tempting, and what are some modern examples? [36:29]
4. Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations by quoting Scripture and standing firm. What does this teach us about how we can resist temptation in our own lives? [44:55]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to examine if we are giving God our leftovers or making Him first. What is one area of your life where God is getting your “leftovers” instead of your best? What would it look like to change that this week? [56:23]
2. Are there any “easy deals” or temptations in your life right now that seem appealing but could distract you from God’s greater reward? How can you recognize and resist them? [36:29]
3. The sermon talks about idolatry being subtle—sometimes even good things can become idols. Is there something in your life (job, possession, comfort, etc.) that might be taking God’s place? How can you put God back in first place? [01:02:56]
4. Jesus modeled resisting temptation and choosing obedience, even when it was hard. What is one practical way you can follow His example this week when you face a difficult choice? [44:55]
5. The sermon asks if we are content with the bare minimum or willing to go the extra mile for eternity. What is one “extra mile” step you could take in your faith or service this month? [01:07:57]
6. The world often doesn’t understand the value of what God offers. Have you ever felt misunderstood or pressured to settle for less because of your faith? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? [01:18:45]
7. The sermon encourages us to help each other keep our eyes on the eternal prize. Who in your life could use encouragement to keep going, and how can you support them this week? [01:22:35]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Pray together that God would help each of you to recognize the true value of His offer, to resist the easy deals of the enemy, and to encourage one another to keep choosing the “better deal” every day.
Devotional
Day 1: The Blessing and the Curse—Our Daily Choices Matter
God sets before each of us a choice every day: to follow His commandments and receive blessing, or to turn aside and pursue other gods, resulting in a curse. This is not just an Old Testament principle, but a living reality for every believer. The decisions we make—whether to prioritize God or the fleeting pleasures and distractions of this world—shape our lives and our destinies. God urges us to choose life, to love Him, obey His voice, and cling to Him, for He is our life and the length of our days. The call is clear: make the choice that leads to true life, not just for ourselves, but for our families and generations to come. [31:00]
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV)
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to intentionally choose God’s way over the world’s offer today?
Day 2: The Passing Pleasures of Sin vs. the Greater Reward
Moses had access to all the riches, power, and comfort of Egypt, yet he chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He understood that what the world offers is temporary, but what God promises is eternal. Like Moses, we are faced with daily temptations to take the easy way out, to accept immediate gratification at the expense of our spiritual inheritance. The challenge is to value the eternal reward above the temporary, to endure hardship for the sake of Christ, and to trust that God’s promises far outweigh anything the world can give. [37:30]
Hebrews 11:24-26 (ESV)
"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward."
Reflection: Where are you tempted to settle for short-term comfort or pleasure instead of pursuing the greater, eternal reward God offers?
Day 3: The True Cost and Gift of Following Christ
The world and the enemy offer us deals that seem easy and appealing, but their end is emptiness and death. In contrast, God offers us the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, but it requires faithfulness, sacrifice, and resisting temptation. The fruit of serving God is holiness and everlasting life, while the wages of sin is death. Every day, we must recognize that nothing we have is more valuable than the gift God freely gives, and that our efforts to follow Him are never wasted. [38:59]
Romans 6:20-23 (ESV)
"For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Reflection: What is one thing you need to surrender or lay down today to fully receive and walk in the gift of eternal life?
Day 4: Prioritizing God Over All—Worship in Spirit and Truth
It is easy to fall into the habit of giving God our leftovers—our leftover time, energy, and attention—while prioritizing work, possessions, or comfort. But true worship means making God our first priority, not just checking off church attendance or going through the motions. It means coming into His presence with a heart ready to worship, to serve, and to give our best, not just the bare minimum. When we put God first, our lives are filled with His presence, and our worship becomes genuine and life-changing. [01:06:52]
John 4:23-24 (ESV)
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Reflection: How can you intentionally give God your best—your first and not your leftovers—in worship and daily life this week?
Day 5: Daily Choosing to Bear Our Cross and Follow Jesus
Every day, we are faced with the choice to take the easy way out or to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. The path of discipleship is not always easy, but it is the only way to the true reward. Jesus calls us to die daily to ourselves, to resist the temptations of the enemy, and to make the extra effort to be present with Him and His people. Our daily choices define us as Christians, and the reward for faithfulness is far greater than anything the world can offer. [01:07:57]
Luke 9:23 (ESV)
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to “take up your cross” and follow Jesus more closely, even if it requires extra effort or sacrifice?
Quotes
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